Proposed rule would change Ala. abortion licensing

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) — More doctors in Alabama could be forced to register as abortion providers under a proposed rule now under consideration.

Doctors do not currently need an abortion provider license unless they perform 30 or more abortions during any two-month period in a calendar year. Under the new rule, doctors would need such a license if they performed 10 or more abortions per month, or more than 100 abortions annually.

Al.com (http://bit.ly/GFo8Tv ) reports the rule is part of an abortion law passed earlier year. A judge has delayed the implementation of some aspects of the law, including a requirement that doctors at abortion clinics have admitting privileges at local hospitals. But state officials appear on track to adopt the rule on licenses by the end of the year.

Brian Hale, the deputy general counsel of the Department of Public Health, said the change would move Alabama closer to the requirements adopted by other states. Planned Parenthood is currently reviewing the proposal, group spokeswoman Nora Spencer said.

A public hearing on the change is scheduled for Oct. 24 in Montgomery. Comments are due by Nov. 4.